Kill the Dead (Sandman Slim 2)

“Yes, it is. The golems we’ve released should make the situation clear. You people can leave now and live, or you can die here and wander the Jackal’s Backbone until the stars burn out.”

“I wonder what would happen if I held you down and pulled your head off your pretty shoulders.”

She smiles and touches a hand to her lips.

“Aelita said that you would make threats when you didn’t get your way. She gave me something that’s valuable to you. A Jade named Candy.”

“Anything else?”

“A head that won’t stop talking.”

She waits for me to say something. I don’t. I stand still.

“Interesting. Aelita told me that this is when you would attack. She said that you would erupt at anything resembling a threat.”

“I’m not like that anymore. Getting all theatrical is only about making the attacker feel better.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“Then why don’t you put down whatever else Aelita gave you and let’s figure a way out of this together.”

She takes an athame from inside her sleeve.

“Do you know what this is?”

“I have one just like it.”

“Good. I’ll keep it out where you can see it, but I don’t think I’m ready to give it up quite yet.”

“Whatever. Here’s the deal. I’m willing to give you back the Druj. You use it to put the Drifters back in the Backbone. When you do, you get Aki and I get Candy and Kasabian.”

“Why wouldn’t I just use the Druj tomorrow and all this would begin again?”

“Once the Drifters are back inside, I’ll get Muninn to seal the caves good and tight. The dead will stay put for a thousand years. Assuming you don’t blow yourself up like Rainier, you can try your plan again then.”

“Let me have the Druj.”

“Get my friends over here and I’ll hand it over. Do anything stupid and your fair-haired boy is dead and you won’t be able to do a damned thing about it.”

“This is an angel’s knife. It might just kill you.”

“I think I can outrun your knife, but I’m positive Aki can’t outrun mine. Make the call and everyone gets to go home and sleep in their own bed.”

“I don’t have a phone.”

“There’s one on the desk over there.”

She goes to Lucifer’s desk and dials.

I give Aki a once-over. The tape is still good and tight on his arms and legs. There’s a small pool of blood around his foot. Enough to make him light-headed, but not enough to worry about.

Koralin says, “They’re on their way. It will be a few minutes. Traffic is a bit heavy tonight.”

I go to one of the sofas and sit down.

“Take a load off. The room is comfy enough. For us. Poor Aki must be hurting pretty bad right now.”

I look back at him.